Local health officials warn residents against flesh eating bacteria

As waters heat up this summer, health experts are urging people to take precautions against vibrio, the bacteria which can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening illness.

As temperatures climb along the Coast, conditions become more favorable for vibrio bacteria.

The bacteria naturally lives in warm salt and brackish water and can cause a serious illness known as vibriosis.

People can become infected through an open cut or wound while in the water and doctors say the infection can progress rapidly.

According to the CDC, the most common source of infection isn’t the water itself. More than half of vibriosis cases are linked to eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.

People with diabetes, liver disease, weakened immune systems, or open wounds are at greater risk for severe illness. Alphacare Urgent PA Joe Ramirez said, “So, if you’re a diabetic or have liver disease, or you have any open wounds, the best advice you can have is one, stay away from raw seafood. If you can, stay away from brackish water, especially immediately after high floods or rains, things of that sort, high temperatures that could cause the vibrio to become more prevalent in the waters, and then if you do notice that you have an open wound, you go and you wash it out immediately with clean soap and water after you get it out of the water.”

Health officials urge people to act quickly if they develop symptoms. ” If you get diarrhea from consuming raw seafood, you need to go in and have it evaluated. If you notice any wounds that have any kind of redness, swelling, drainage, discharge, blistering, you need to go get seen immediately.”

Many patients require intensive medical care and in the most severe cases, amputations may be necessary. Doctors say early treatment can make all the difference.